Atkinson named as Kettering chief

Atkinson has recently had brief spells at Peterborough and Swindon

Ron Atkinson has been appointed director of football at Kettering Town until the end of the season.

The 67-year-old is returning to the Conference North club, where he started his managerial career in 1971.

Atkinson went on to manage Cambridge, West Brom (twice), Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday (twice), Aston Villa, Coventry and Nottingham Forest.

He has been out of football since 2004 when he lost his job as an ITV pundit for making an on-air racist comment.

Report: Atkinson returns at Kettering

The comment was about Marcel Desailly, then of Chelsea, and was made after a Champions League match when Atkinson thought he was off-air.

He parted company with ITV and has since taken various media roles, including a television programme that saw him act as a consultant for brief spells at Swindon and Peterborough.

For the first week I will just be observing but then if I see things that I think could be improved, I will make those points Ron Atkinson

Atkinson led Kettering to double Southern League title success in the 1970s and current chairman Imraan Ladak was delighted to have brought him back to the club.

"Having spoken to Ron over recent months, it was clear he still held a deep-rooted affection for Kettering and would love to come back and help the club in any way he could," said Ladak.

"I am very pleased to confirm his appointment as director of football for the remainder of this season.

"With Ron's knowledge, experience and achievements, he will certainly be involved in and responsible for all aspects of the football club."

Atkinson, who will try to help Poppies manager Morell Maison, admitted: "If you had said this a week ago I would have said you were potty.

"He (Ladak) asked me if I would be interested in helping the club to promotion. It is a place I have always had an affection for.

"They have slipped down a bit over the last few years but hopefully they can get back where they belong.

"For the first week I will just be observing but then if I see things that I think could be improved, I will make those points."